Rome Walking Tours: Via del Governo Vecchio

Rome's Via del Governo Vecchio is five blocks in old Rome centro storico that runs like a artery connecting the Rome walker to key veins for exploration. Via del Governo Vecchio gets its name from Palazzo Nardini, constructed between 1473 and 1478 by Cardinal Nardini, governor of the city of Rome under Pope Paul IV, the building was originally called called "Palazzo del Governo." Palazzo Nardini stands at No. 39 Via del Governo Vecchio. Across the street from the Palazzo del Governo or Palazzo Nardini you'll find architecture on the buildings from 118 - 123 representing 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.

When walking this street you'll often hear desperate travelers looking for a specific address, such as a hip boutique or famous pizza spot, exclaim "che confusione!" as they loook for an address. This confusion is caused by the street numbers continuing consecutively by side, from Piazza d'Orologio on the left side toward Piazza di Pasquino, where they then continue on the other side numbered consecutively back to the beginning in Piazza d'Orologio. So unlike typical street numbers with odds and evens on opposing sides, Via del Governo Vecchio is numbered successively, with the numbers counting up on left and down on right - working opposite one another on each side as you walk. The beginning of Via del Governo Vecchio you'll find the first number and last number across from one another.

Via del Governo Vecchio begins in the Piazza d'Orologio, named after the Borromini designed corner clock tower. As you walk look out for the 16th century fresco on 104, which shows the buildings owner dictating to his secretary, a sure sign some things never change. Another illustration that some things never change is the building plaque on the corner of Vicolo dell Cancelleria from 1755 that reads, "By order of the District President it is forbidden to throw any garbage whatsoever into this alley, as prescribed by public proclamation October 23, 1755."

Piazza di Pasquino is the end of Via del Governo Vecchio where you'll find the statue of Pasquino, Rome's first talking talking statue named after a tailor named Pasquino who was the first to post his current affairs witty commentary onto this sculpture shorty after its installation here in 1501. Pasquino the tailor was privy to behind the scenes Rome and Vatican gossip given his position as tailor to the Vatican. His commentary stuck to the statue led to its nickname, "Rome's talking statue." The sculpture itself is from the 3rd century B.C., and is thought to represent the torso and head of Menelaus, king of Sparta and husband of Helen of Troy. Bernini described Pasquino "the finest of all antique sculptures." The English word pasquinade, which means a piece of satire, is derived from this statue.

Click for Rome walking map of Via del Governo Vecchio including shopping boutiques and places to eat.

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Rome Walking Map: Rome's Fashion Boutiques Shopping Guide Walking Map

Rome Italy: Shopping Guide Walking Map to Rome's Fashion Boutiques


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Map to Rome's fashion boutiques, a Rome insiders guide to shopping in Rome. Visit the Made in Italy brands around Via Condotti, Via del Governo Vecchio and Via dei Coronari.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays. Italian Tourism has the best Italy pre-cruise tour and Italy post-cruise tour Italy vacation packages. Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

Rome Italy: The Last Supper

Rome for us is like being at home.

We have lots of friends and family in Rome.

We always have a family reunion on Via della Pace at the Forno Giallo. 9 pizzas & 4 platters of fried stuff -- beer, wine, soda --- lots of laughs, fun, and stories.

My husband's mother's family was from Rome. Some stayed. Some went to the States.

After dinner we strolled by Pasquino to say hello. One hundred years ago my husband's family lived upstairs.

We then went down Via del Governo Vecchio, crossing to Via dei Cappelliari, stopping by one of our cousins homes just before Campo de' Fiori for an espresso and a look at family albums from Rome.

You'll meet our cousins Maurizo and Remo soon - they host the video tour we took Sunday of off-the-beaten path places to see in Rome. All video of Rome coming soon to Web Vision Italy.

We are off to Montalcino for a few days. We'll see Rome again next week.

Rome Italy: A Walk Around the Block

Our block is Rome.

Today's Rome itinerary wandering for one day in Rome.

We walked from our apartment in Piazza Farnese through the open-air market at Campo de' Fiori, past Via del Governo Vecchio, with the young fashion designers, and past Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, down the Corso to Piazza del Popolo, where we had an appointment, naturally at a caffé in Rome.

Done with our business we zig zagged back to our apartment.

First to Via dei Condotti, with stops at the stores with the most beautiful handbags, shoes, expensive silk ties, etc..

Then to Campo Marzio, passing bakeries, and the luscious caffés at the Piazza Lucina.

Then to the right past the Church of the Portuese, on Via dei Coronari, neighborhood of the antique dealers, then to Via dei Bianchi Vecchi, a crossover to Via Giuia, celebrating its 500th anniversary, and we arrived at our apartment a neighbor of the Michelangelo arch.

What's your favorite block?.